New to Crohns

[DevonH]

Hello,
I am new to crohns, recently been diagnosed and am pretty frightened. I Have not started treatment yet but it is coming. Personal expierence info would be awesome, i am a 19 year old male that has been blessed with the beauty by genetics. My first and foremost question is pain relief(its the most bothesome at this point). Im taking tramacet as needed, i am very un-happy with it, and would love to here suggestions and advice!

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and yes, being frightened is a completely normal reaction.

You've come to a good place, and I'm positive others here can answer your questions and act as a sounding board for support.

Pain relief is a big issue. I personally have no experience with Tramacet, but it's likely others have.

 

[DevonH]

Thank you. I was taking codeine but flared up my asthma a bit after about 6 months of use. I am currently in tjhe process of beridding the family doc, at getting a doctor specific in pain management, as well as another coloscomy on the 6th (YAYYY). The quiting smoking is on its way, as well as the steroid. i welcome all questions and advice!

 

[drew_wymore]

First, welcome Devon, we all wish we could have met you under better circumstances but life has it ways of messing with us.

In terms of pain management, everyone is a little different in what works for them. I am currently taking 5mg of Vicodan, 1 or 2 daily on the days when I'm hurting most. I have also taken Tramadol which worked well for awhile until my body got used to it.

If you take over the counter products, remember to avoid Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS (things like Aleve) as they can aggravate symptoms. Stick to things that are aspirin/tylenol based as they won't cause as many problems, be careful about dosing however as over use can cause problems with your kidneys.

Unfortunately narcotic based painkillers slow down the digestive process so while you can use them again you have to be very careful, you don't want to use too many and end up with a bowel obstruction. I would talk with your doctor(s) and find the thing that works best for you while causing the least amount of problems.

Good luck on your journey and welcome aboard.

 

[DevonH]

Thanks Man. Agreed on the Tramadol, and appreciate the input. At this point, slowing down the bowel, for me, has been a lot better. I looked up the whole 'bowel obstruction', and i agree, dont want one of them. Thanks for posting so late at night!

 

[Creepy Lurker]

First, welcome Devon, we all wish we could have met you under better circumstances but life has it ways of messing with us.

In terms of pain management, everyone is a little different in what works for them. I am currently taking 5mg of Vicodan, 1 or 2 daily on the days when I'm hurting most. I have also taken Tramadol which worked well for awhile until my body got used to it.

If you take over the counter products, remember to avoid Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS (things like Aleve) as they can aggravate symptoms. Stick to things that are aspirin/tylenol based as they won't cause as many problems, be careful about dosing however as over use can cause problems with your kidneys.

Unfortunately narcotic based painkillers slow down the digestive process so while you can use them again you have to be very careful, you don't want to use too many and end up with a bowel obstruction. I would talk with your doctor(s) and find the thing that works best for you while causing the least amount of problems.

Good luck on your journey and welcome aboard.

I've been told to avoid aspirin based medication as well. It can irritate the digestive tract which is probably something we also want to avoid

 

[rosie]

Hello Devon!
no advice from me im in the same boat as you too except im on treatment :s x

 

[drew_wymore]

I've been told to avoid aspirin based medication as well. It can irritate the digestive tract which is probably something we also want to avoid

No kidding .. well damn. Oh and I miss George posting here but I would avoid battery acid as well :lol:

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Ah, the good old days - fun with George!

 

[teeny5]

I was told to only take Tylenol as far as over the counter stuff.

 

[Kaitlyn]

I read to avoid aspirin but i think that's while on this medication.

And DevonH, I am in the same boat as you. I was diagnosed only a week ago. However, for me the doctor gave me a shot of some kind of antibiotic in my behind and that made the pain go away the very next day. Also, i am on two antibiotics and have been pain free since. But talk to your doctor, let them know you're still in pain.

 

[Crohns08]

DevonH have you tried changing your diet? I have changed my diet tremendously and it has helped a bunch! I reccomend the specific carb diet. It's kinda limited, but the relief is so worth it! I highly reccomend the book in my signature.

Also, avoid non steroidial pain killers, such as Aspirin, ibuprofin, really anything but tylenol. They can make you bleed in your BM's.

It's okay to be afraid, but I have made up my mind a long time ago that I'm not afraid of anything, and that I will send my Crohn's into remission one way or another. You must stay positive, stressing and worrying over things will make you worse. Do something you enjoy.

 

[DevonH]

Thats for the insight thus. My doc told me he will not give me any painkillers, and that the steroids are going to make the pain go away, i start them in a week. Is this true? I didnt think it was and i got mad at stormed out of the clinic. He told me to count to thirty in my head and try and focus on something else.... (Im thinking dude, are you mental? I dont just forget it hurts.) Anyways im working on getting a Pain Management SPecialist, unfortunatley i hear the wait is up to 6 months. Im working on changing up the diet. Ive read low fibre, high protein. SO far it has made no diff. Time to get me a different doctor i think.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

Acupuncture, I've found, is good for pain management. For others, it's not so effective. As such, I can only suggest it rather than recommend it.

 

[amor151]

Devon the steroids actually should help your pain quite alot. what dose is your doctor planning to start you on? they have some pretty nasty side effects but you really should notice the difference when you've started them. whenever im in pain i heat up a wheat bag in the microwave and put it on my stomach, i no a lot of people on here do this and i find it helps to calm down the pains. i think you shoudl wait until you've started the steroids before doing anything drastic and if nothing changes then think about changing your doctor.

best of luck mate